PTO Accrual Calculator
See how much paid time off you earn each pay period or per hour worked. Compare accrual rates and view a full-year timeline.
Input Your Details
Your Results
80 ÷ 26 periods = 3.08 hrs
3.08 × 26 periods = 80 hrs
| Month | Accrued | Balance |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6.67 h | 6.67 h |
| February | 6.67 h | 13.33 h |
| March | 6.67 h | 20.00 h |
| April | 6.67 h | 26.67 h |
| May | 6.67 h | 33.33 h |
| June | 6.67 h | 40.00 h |
| July | 6.67 h | 46.67 h |
| August | 6.67 h | 53.33 h |
| September | 6.67 h | 60.00 h |
| October | 6.67 h | 66.67 h |
| November | 6.67 h | 73.33 h |
| December | 6.67 h | 80.00 h |
How PTO Accrual Works
Paid time off can accrue per pay period (e.g., 4.6 hours every two weeks), per hour worked (common for part-time jobs), or as an annual lump sum. Your employer's policy—not state law—sets your accrual rate and method, so this PTO accrual calculator works for any U.S. job. Enter your annual PTO hours and pay schedule above to see your rate per period, total annual accrual, and a month-by-month breakdown. Use the comparison section to see how the same annual allowance differs under each method. Data is for estimation only; follow your employer's plan for exact figures.
Compare Accrual Methods
Per pay period accrual is easiest to predict. Per-hour accrual scales with your hours, so it's fair for variable schedules. Lump sum gives the full balance at once but no mid-year growth. Your employer's handbook or HR can confirm which method you use.
PTO Accrual FAQ
Divide your annual PTO hours by the number of pay periods per year for per-period accrual (e.g., 80 ÷ 26 ≈ 3.08 hours per biweekly period). For per-hour-worked accrual, divide annual PTO by your annual hours worked (e.g., 80 ÷ 2,080 ≈ 0.0385 hours per hour). Use the calculator above to try different methods and see a full-year breakdown.
Per pay period accrual gives you a fixed amount of PTO each pay period (e.g., 4.6 hours every two weeks). Per hour worked accrual ties PTO to the hours you actually work—common for part-time or variable schedules. Both can add up to the same annual total; the method affects when and how you earn it.
Check your offer letter, employee handbook, or HR portal. Many employers offer 10–15 days (80–120 hours) per year for full-time employees, with increases based on tenure.
Yes. Accrual math is the same regardless of state. State laws mainly affect whether unused PTO must be paid out at termination and whether use-it-or-lose-it is allowed—use the main PTO calculator or PTO payout calculator for state-specific payout rules.
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